CN102456909A - Recharageable battery - Google Patents

Abstract

A rechargeable battery comprising: an electrode assembly; a case accommodating the electrode assembly; and an elastic member between the case and an outer surface of the electrode assembly, wherein the elastic member includes a The tapered walls of the central opening area have an oblique arrangement with respect to the axis of the central opening area.

Description

rechargeable battery

technical field

Embodiments relate to a rechargeable battery.

Background technique

Unlike primary batteries, rechargeable batteries can be repeatedly charged and discharged. Small capacity rechargeable batteries can be used in small portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, laptops and/or camcorders. A large-capacity rechargeable battery can be used as a power source for driving a motor of a hybrid vehicle.

High-power rechargeable batteries using non-aqueous electrolytes with high energy density are being developed. The high-power rechargeable battery may include a plurality of rechargeable batteries connected in series, and may be used to drive equipment requiring high power, such as a motor of an electric vehicle.

The rechargeable battery may include an electrode assembly having a positive electrode and a negative electrode provided on respective sides of a separator, a case accommodating the electrode assembly, a cover plate closing and sealing an opening of the case, and a battery passing through the cover plate and An electrode terminal installed in the cover plate and electrically connected to the electrode assembly.

The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the technology and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

Contents of the invention

Embodiments are directed to a rechargeable battery.

Embodiments can be achieved by providing a rechargeable battery including: an electrode assembly; a case accommodating the electrode assembly; and an outer surface of the electrode assembly between the case and the electrode assembly. wherein the resilient member includes a tapered wall defining a central open area having an axis, the tapered wall having an oblique arrangement relative to the axis of the central open area.

The elastic member may have a ring structure surrounding the central opening area.

The ring structure may be a closed ring structure.

The central opening area may have a prismatic shape with rounded corners.

The central open area may have an oval shape with rounded ends and with outwardly extending finger-like protrusions.

The central opening area may have a circular shape.

The central open area may be defined by an edge of the tapered wall comprising a pair of curved segments having recesses facing each other and ends connecting the curved segments A pair of straight line segments of the department.

The central open area may be defined by an edge of the tapered wall comprising four quarter circular segments and ends connecting the quarter circular segments straight line segment.

The rechargeable battery may include a plurality of elastic members between the outer surface of the electrode assembly and the case.

The plurality of elastic members may include an inner elastic member between the outer elastic member and the electrode assembly and an outer elastic member between the case and the inner elastic member. members, and the plurality of resilient members are stacked in a surface contact configuration such that the tapered walls of the plurality of resilient members taper in the same direction.

The plurality of elastic members may include an inner elastic member between the outer elastic member and the electrode assembly and an outer elastic member between the case and the inner elastic member. members, and the plurality of resilient members are stacked in a line contact configuration such that the tapered walls of the plurality of resilient members taper in opposite directions.

The elastic member may be elastically biased toward the electrode assembly.

The resilient member may have a frusto-conical shape formed by the tapered wall.

The tapered wall may have one axial end defining a first perimeter and the other axial end defining a second perimeter, the first perimeter being different than the second perimeter.

The tapered wall may taper inwardly from the case to the electrode assembly.

The tapered wall is movable between a relaxed position and a compressed position, the inclination of the tapered wall relative to the axis of the central opening region being greater in the compressed position than in the relaxed position bigger.

Description of drawings

The above and other features and advantages will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by describing in detail exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a rechargeable battery according to an embodiment;

Figure 2 shows a sectional view taken along line II-II of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of Figure 2;

4 is a side view showing a state where an electrode assembly and a negative electrode current collecting lead tab are connected in the rechargeable battery of FIG. 1;

Figure 5 shows a sectional view taken along the line V-V of Figure 1;

FIG. 6 shows an exploded perspective view of the electrode assembly and the elastic member of FIG. 3;

Fig. 7 shows the top view of Fig. 6;

8 illustrates a cross-sectional view showing the operation of an elastic member between an electrode assembly and a case;

9 illustrates a top plan view showing an arrangement relationship of an electrode assembly and an elastic member in a rechargeable battery according to another embodiment;

Figure 10 shows a cross-sectional view of a rechargeable battery according to yet another embodiment;

Figure 11 shows a cross-sectional view of a rechargeable battery according to yet another embodiment;

Figure 12 shows a cross-sectional view of a rechargeable battery according to yet another embodiment;

FIG. 13 illustrates a side view of the arrangement of the electrode assembly and the elastic member shown in FIG. 12 .

Detailed ways

Example embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings; however, these embodiments may be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

In the drawings, the dimensions of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity of illustration. It will also be understood that when a layer or element is referred to as being "on" another element, it can be directly on the other element, or intervening elements may also be present. In addition, it will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being "between" two elements, it can be the only element between the two elements, or one or more intervening elements may also be present. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a rechargeable battery according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1 . FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 2 .

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3 , a rechargeable battery 100 according to the present embodiment may include an electrode assembly 10 , a case 15 accommodating the electrode assembly 10 , a cover plate 20 connected to an opening of the case 15 , and a cover plate 20 disposed in the cover plate 20 . The first electrode terminal 21 and the second electrode terminal 22 , and the elastic members 71 and 72 between the case 15 and the electrode assembly 10 . In an embodiment, there may be one or more electrode assemblies 10 .

The rechargeable battery 100 according to the present embodiment may be a lithium ion rechargeable battery having a rectangular shape. However, embodiments are not limited thereto, and may be applied to various forms of rechargeable batteries, for example, lithium polymer rechargeable batteries and cylindrical rechargeable batteries.

Referring to FIG. 3 , the electrode assembly 10 may include a negative electrode 11 and a positive electrode 12 on respective sides of a separator 13 (eg, an insulator). The negative electrode 11, the separator 13, and the positive electrode 12 may be wound into a jelly-roll structure.

Although not shown, in an embodiment, the electrode assembly may be assembled by laminating positive and negative electrodes formed of single sheets with a separator interposed therebetween, or may be assembled by zigzag folding the negative electrode, separator and positive electrode and laminated them to assemble.

Each of the negative electrode 11 and the positive electrode 12 may include a coated portion in which an active material is coated on a current collector (such as a metal plate) and an uncoated portion 11a and 12a, in which the uncoated portion is formed by the current collector. An exposed portion of the fluid (eg, a portion not coated with the active material) is formed.

The uncoated portion 11 a of the negative electrode 11 may be formed at one end of the negative electrode 11 along the wound negative electrode 11 . The uncoated portion 12 a of the positive electrode 12 may be formed at the other end of the positive electrode 12 along the wound positive electrode 12 . Accordingly, the uncoated portions 11 a and 12 a may be disposed at opposite ends of the electrode assembly 10 , respectively.

In an embodiment, a plurality of electrode assemblies 10 may be included. Therefore, in the electrode assembly 10 , the negative electrode 11 may be electrically connected through the negative electrode current collecting lead tab 31 ; and the positive electrode 12 may be electrically connected through the positive electrode current collecting lead tab 32 . Although not shown, the embodiments are also applicable to a rechargeable battery in which the number of electrode assemblies is one.

The case 15 may have an approximately cubic or hexahedral shape, so that a space for accommodating the electrode assembly 10 and the electrolytic solution may be defined. An opening for connecting the exterior and interior spaces may be formed at one side of the cubic structure. The electrode assembly 10 may be inserted into the case 15 through the opening.

The cover plate 20 may be made of a sheet material and may be disposed in the opening of the housing 15 . The cover plate 20 can close and seal the housing 15 . The cover plate 20 may further include an electrolyte solution injection port 29 and a vent hole 23 . After the electrolytic solution is injected, the electrolytic solution injection port 29 may be sealed with a sealing plug 27 .

When the internal pressure of the rechargeable battery 100 exceeds a predetermined pressure, the pressure may be released through the vent hole 23 which is closed and sealed by the vent plate 25 during normal operation. The first electrode terminal 21 and the second electrode terminal 22 may pass through the cap plate 20 and may be electrically connected to the electrode assembly 10 . For example, the first electrode terminal 21 and the second electrode terminal 22 may be electrically connected to the negative electrode 11 and the positive electrode 12 of the electrode assembly 10, respectively. Accordingly, the electrode assembly 10 may be electrically connected to the outside of the case 15 through the first electrode terminal 21 and the second electrode terminal 22 .

The first electrode terminal 21 and the second electrode terminal 22 may include corresponding pole units 21a and 22a (provided in terminal holes 311 and 312 formed in the cover plate 20), corresponding flanges 21b and 22b (formed in the case The pole units 21a and 22a inside the body 15), and the terminal boards 21d and 22d provided outside the housing 15 and connected to the pole units 21a and 22a.

The terminal plates 21d and 22d may be connected to terminal plates (not shown) of adjacent rechargeable batteries through bus bars (not shown), so that the rechargeable batteries 100 may be coupled together in series or in parallel.

On the side of the first electrode terminal 21, the negative electrode gasket 36 may be disposed between the pole unit 21a of the first electrode terminal 21 and the inner side of the terminal hole 311 of the cover plate 20, and may seal the pole of the first electrode terminal 21. A space between the column unit 21 a and the terminal hole 311 of the cover plate 20 . The negative electrode gasket 36 may further extend between the flange 21 b and the cap plate 20 and may seal a space between the flange 21 b and the cap plate 20 . For example, the first electrode terminal 21 may be provided in the cap plate 20 . Therefore, the negative electrode gasket 36 can prevent the electrolyte solution from leaking through the terminal hole 311 .

On the side of the second electrode terminal 22, the positive electrode gasket 39 may be disposed between the pole unit 22a of the second electrode terminal 22 and the inner side of the terminal hole 312 of the cover plate 20, and may seal the pole of the second electrode terminal 22. A space between the column unit 22 a and the terminal hole 312 of the cover plate 20 . The positive electrode gasket 39 may further extend between the flange 22 b and the cap plate 20 and may seal a space between the flange 22 b and the cap plate 20 .

For example, the second electrode terminal 22 may be provided in the cap plate 20 . Therefore, the positive electrode gasket 39 can prevent the electrolyte solution from leaking through the terminal hole 312 .

Further, the cap plate 20 and the terminal plates 21d and 22d may be insulated with insulating members 21c and 22c interposed therebetween.

The negative electrode current collecting lead tab 31 and the positive electrode current collecting lead tab 32 may electrically connect the first electrode terminal 21 and the second electrode terminal 22 to the negative electrode 11 and the positive electrode 12 of the electrode assembly 10 , respectively. For example, the negative electrode current collecting lead tab 31 and the positive electrode current collecting lead tab 32 may be connected to the bottoms of the pole units 21a and 22a, and the bottoms of the pole units 21a and 22a may be welded to the negative electrode current collecting lead tabs 31 and positive electrode current collector lead tab 32. Accordingly, the negative electrode current collecting lead tab 31 and the positive electrode current collecting lead tab 32 may be supported by the flanges 21b and 22b, and may also be connected to the bottoms of the pole units 21a and 22a.

The negative electrode current collecting lead tab 31 and the positive electrode current collecting lead tab 32 may have the same structure. Therefore, repeated detailed description of the positive electrode current collecting lead tab 32 is omitted; and a structure in which the negative electrode current collecting lead tab 31 is connected to four electrode assemblies 10 is described as an example.

4 illustrates a side view showing a state where an electrode assembly and a negative electrode current collecting lead tab are connected in the rechargeable battery of FIG. 1 . Referring to FIG. 4 , the negative electrode current collector lead tab 31 may include first, second, third, and fourth electrode assembly combining units 63 , 64 , 65 connected to the first electrode terminal 21 and interposed between the electrode assemblies 10 . and 66.

The four electrode assemblies 10 may overlap each other; and uncoated portions 11a and 12a may be formed at opposite ends of the four electrode assemblies 10, respectively. In FIG. 4, the uncoated portion 11a of the negative electrode 11 may have a smaller thickness than the coated portion on which the active material is coated. Accordingly, spaces may be formed between the uncoated portions 11a. The first, second, third and fourth electrode assembly combining units 63, 64, 65 and 66 may be inserted and disposed in spaces between the uncoated parts 11a.

The first, second, third, and fourth electrode assembly combining units 63, 64, 65, and 66 are bendable and formed in parallel, disposed parallel to the uncoated portion 11a of the negative electrode 11, and joined to the uncoated portion 11a by ultrasonic welding. Coat portion 11a.

Referring to FIG. 3 , the negative electrode insulating member 41 and the positive electrode insulating member 42 may be disposed between the corresponding negative electrode current collecting lead tab 31 and the positive electrode current collecting lead tab 32 and the cap plate 20, and may electrically insulate the corresponding negative electrode The current collector lead lug 31 and the positive electrode current collector lead lug 32 and the cover plate 20 .

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V of FIG. 1 . Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5 , elastic members 71 and 72 may be disposed in respective spaces S1 and S2 between the case 15 and the electrode assembly 10 . Although not shown, in an embodiment, the elastic members 71 and 72 may be disposed between the corresponding electrode assemblies 10 . As shown in FIG. 5 , elastic members 71 and 72 may be disposed outside the plurality of electrode assemblies 10 and inside the case 15 and may elastically support the electrode assemblies 10 . For example, the elastic members 71 and 72 may be located between the case 15 and the outer surface of the electrode assembly 10 .

Before the rechargeable battery 100 is used for the first time, the elastic members 71 and 72 may support the electrode assembly 10 at a predetermined pressure by being pressed against the case 15 due to self-elastic properties of the elastic members 71 and 72 . Therefore, the gap between the negative electrode 11, the separator 13, and the positive electrode 12 can be maintained within a predetermined range. Thus, when the rechargeable battery 100 is used for the first time, gas generation and battery swelling can be suppressed.

Elastic members 71 and 72 may be disposed at outer regions within spaces S1 and S2 between the electrode assembly 10 and the case 15 and may support the electrode assembly 10 . Accordingly, the elastic members 71 and 72 may distribute expansion force (generated at the central portion of the electrode assembly 10 when the rechargeable battery 100 is used) to the outside of the case 15 .

Structurally, the housing 15 may have the greatest mechanical stiffness at its outer region. The elastic members 71 and 72 may support the outer area of the electrode assembly 10 . Therefore, battery swelling can be effectively prevented.

As shown in the figures, the housing 15 may have a cuboidal form, and thus may have first and second inner faces or surfaces 151 and 152 (eg, two of the six faces having wide rectangular areas). The electrode assembly 10 may include first and second outer surfaces or surfaces 101 and 102 corresponding to first and second inner surfaces 151 and 152 defined in portions other than the uncoated portions 11a and 12a. The first and second outer faces 101 and 102 may be the outermost faces disposed on the outer sides of the plurality of electrode assemblies 10, and may be located on both sides of one electrode assembly 10 (not shown).

The elastic members 71 and 72 may be located between the first and second inner faces 151 and 152 and outer sides of the first and second outer faces 101 and 102 in the corresponding spaces S1 and S2. In an embodiment, the elastic members 71 and 72 may be made of, for example, stainless steel or copper alloy. For convenience of description, the elastic member 71 between the first inner surface 151 and the first outer surface 101 in the space S1 is exemplarily described.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the electrode assembly and the elastic member of FIG. 3 . FIG. 7 shows a top plan view of FIG. 6 . Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7 , in an embodiment, the elastic members 71 and 72 may be formed of Belleville springs. For example, each of the elastic members 71 and 72 may be formed by forming a belt into a disk shape, the disk-shaped belt forming a closed curve having a predetermined width. In an embodiment, the resilient members 71 and 72 may include tapered walls defining a central open area having an axis having an oblique arrangement with respect to the axis of the central open area. The elastic members 71 and 72 may have a ring structure surrounding a central opening area. The ring structure may be a closed ring structure. In an embodiment, the central opening area may have a prismatic shape with rounded corners. In another embodiment, the central open area mouth may have a circular shape. The elastic members 71 and 72 may be elastically biased toward the electrode assembly 10 . The elastic members 71 and 72 may have a frusto-conical shape formed by tapered walls. The tapered wall may have one axial end defining a first perimeter and the other axial end defining a second perimeter; and the first perimeter may be different than the second perimeter. In an embodiment, the tapered wall may taper inwardly from the case to the electrode assembly 10 .

The elastic member 71 may correspond to an outer area of the first inner face 151 and the first outer face 101 in the space S1. For example, the elastic member 71 may be formed of a strip-shaped semicircle on a short side of the first outer face 101 of the electrode assembly 10 and a strip-shaped straight line connecting both sides of the semicircle on a long side thereof. For example, the central open area may be defined by an edge of a tapered wall comprising a pair of curved segments having concavities facing each other and a pair of straight segments connecting the ends of the curved segments.

FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view showing the operation of an elastic member between an electrode assembly and a case. Referring to FIG. 8 , the elastic member 71 may be supported by the first inner face 151 in response to expansion of the electrode assembly 10 (eg, a virtual line state), and may be configured to slide and move from an outer region of the first outer face 101 of the electrode assembly 10 ( For example, an imaginary line state) to its center, thereby absorbing and transmitting the expansion force of the electrode assembly 10 . For example, the tapered wall is movable between a relatively relaxed position and a relatively compressed position, the inclination of the tapered wall relative to the axis of the central opening region being greater in the relatively compressed position than in the relatively relaxed position.

For example, the elastic member 71 may receive an expansion force generated at the center of the electrode assembly (when the rechargeable battery 100 is used) in a semicircle and a straight line. The elastic member 71 may evenly distribute the received expansion force to the long side and the short side of the first inner face 151 as the outer area of the case 15 (refer to phantom line arrows).

The part with the greatest mechanical stiffness in the housing 15 is the outer region. The maximum expansion force generated at the central portion of the electrode assembly 10 may be distributed to the outer area of the case 15 . Therefore, battery swelling can be effectively suppressed. Even after the rechargeable battery 100 is used for a predetermined time, the gap between the negative electrode 11, the separator 13, and the positive electrode 12 of the electrode assembly 10 may be maintained within a predetermined range.

Hereinafter, another embodiment is described. A description of the same structure of this embodiment as the previous embodiment is omitted for brevity.

9 illustrates a top plan view showing an arrangement relationship of an electrode assembly and an elastic member in a rechargeable battery according to another embodiment. Referring to FIG. 9 , the rechargeable battery 200 of the present embodiment may include: an elastic member 271 in which a part connecting the long side and the short side of the first outer surface 101 in the electrode assembly 10 forms a band-shaped 1/4 circle, and the band A straight line connecting the 1/4 circle along the long side and the short side of the first outer surface 101. For example, the central open area may be defined by an edge of a tapered wall comprising four quarter-circle segments and a straight line segment connecting the ends of the quarter-circle segments.

Accordingly, the elastic member 271 may receive expansion force generated at the center of the electrode assembly 10 (when the rechargeable battery 200 is used) through a 1/4 circle and a straight line. Accordingly, the elastic member 271 may evenly distribute the received expansion force to long and short sides of the first inner face 151 corresponding to the outer area of the case 15 (refer to phantom line arrows).

In the elastic member 271 of this embodiment, 1/4 circles may be connected by straight lines. Accordingly, the expansion force of the electrode assembly 10 may be further transferred and distributed to the outer area of the case 15 . The first elastic member 271 of the present embodiment may be advantageous in terms of battery expansion suppression.

FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a rechargeable battery 300 according to yet another embodiment. Referring to FIG. 10 , in the rechargeable battery 300 of the present embodiment, each of the elastic members 371 and 372 may be formed of two leaf springs. For example, the elastic members 371 and 372 may include respective inner elastic members 71a and 72a and corresponding outer elastic members 71b and 72b disposed as a surface contact structure. For example, the elastic members 371 and 372 may include inner elastic members 71a, 72a and outer elastic members 71b, 72b, the inner elastic members 71a, 72a are between the outer elastic members and the electrode assembly 10, and the outer elastic members 71b, 72b Between the inner elastic members 71a, 72a, and the plurality of elastic members 371 and 372 are stacked in a surface-contact configuration such that their tapered walls taper in the same direction.

The inner elastic members 71a and 72a may correspond to the first and second outer faces 101 and 102 of the electrode assembly 10 in the spaces S1 and S2, respectively. The outer elastic members 71b and 72b may correspond to the first and second inner faces 151 and 152 of the case 15 in the spaces S1 and S2, respectively.

Accordingly, the expansion force of the first and second outer faces 101 and 102 of the electrode assembly 10 may be transmitted to the inner elastic members 71a and 72a. Then, the expansion force may be transmitted to the first and second inner faces 151 and 152 of the case 15 through the outer elastic members 71b and 72b.

The elastic members 371 and 372 of this embodiment may be formed of two leaf springs. Therefore, the reliability with which the expansion force of the electrode assembly 10 is transmitted and distributed to the case 15 may be improved.

FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a rechargeable battery 400 according to yet another embodiment. Referring to FIG. 11 , in the rechargeable battery 400 of the present embodiment, each of elastic members 471 and 472 may be formed of two leaf springs. The elastic members 471 and 472 may include respective inner elastic members 71a and 72a and corresponding outer elastic members 71b and 72b disposed in a line contact structure. For example, the elastic members 471 and 472 may include inner elastic members 71a, 72a and outer elastic members 71b, 72b, the inner elastic members 71a, 72a are between the outer elastic members 71b, 72b and the electrode assembly, and the outer elastic members 71b, 72b Between the body 15 and the inner elastic members 71a, 72a, and a plurality of elastic members 471 and 472 are stacked in a line contact configuration so that their tapered walls taper in opposite directions.

The inner elastic members 71a and 72a may correspond to the first and second outer faces 101 and 102 of the electrode assembly 10 in the spaces S1 and S2, respectively. The outer elastic members 71b and 72b may correspond to the first and second inner faces 151 and 152 of the case 15 in the spaces S1 and S2, respectively.

Accordingly, the expansion force of the first and second outer faces 101 and 102 of the electrode assembly 10 may be transmitted to the inner elastic members 71a and 72a. Then, the expansion force may be transmitted and distributed to the first and second inner faces 151 and 152 of the housing 15 through the outer elastic members 71b and 72b.

The elastic members 471 and 472 in this embodiment can be arranged as a line contact structure, and can elastically support each other. Accordingly, the expansion force of the electrode assembly 10 may be reduced and absorbed between the inner elastic members 71 a and 72 a and the outer elastic members 71 b and 72 b before the expansion force is transmitted and distributed to the case 15 .

FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional view of a rechargeable battery 500 according to yet another embodiment. FIG. 13 shows a side view showing the arrangement of the electrode assembly and the elastic member shown in FIG. 12 .

12 and 13, in the rechargeable battery 500 according to the present embodiment, the elastic members 571 and 572 may be formed by corresponding slotted disk springs. For example, the central open area may have an oval shape with rounded ends and with outwardly extending fingers.

The elastic members 571 and 572 may correspond to the first and second outer surfaces 101 and 102 of the electrode assembly 10 and correspond to the first and second inner surfaces 151 and 152 of the case 15 in the corresponding spaces S1 and S2, respectively. In an embodiment, the extension units 71 e and 72 e extending from the elastic members 571 and 572 to the center of the rechargeable battery 500 may support central portions of the first and second outer faces 101 and 102 of the electrode assembly 10 .

Accordingly, the expansion force of the first and second outer faces 101 and 102 of the electrode assembly 10 may be transmitted to the elastic members 571 and 572 . This expansion force may then be transmitted and distributed to the first and second inner faces 151 and 152 of the housing 15 .

In this way, the extension units 71e and 72e may support the central portion of the electrode assembly 10 where the expansion force is greatest. Therefore, the expansion force of the central portion may be distributed to the outer area of the electrode assembly 10 and at the same time transferred and distributed to the outer area of the case 15 .

The elastic members 571 and 572 of the present embodiment may be formed of grooved coil springs and configured to contact or press the central portion of the electrode assembly 10 . Accordingly, the expansion force generated at the central portion of the electrode assembly 10 may be distributed to the outer area of the electrode assembly 10 and simultaneously transmitted and distributed to the outer area of the case 15 .

As described above, charging and discharging can be repeatedly performed in the electrode assembly. Therefore, excessive heat may be generated, and the electrolytic solution may be decomposed. Accordingly, the interval between the positive electrode, the separator, and the negative electrode may be widened; and the electrode assembly may swell, thereby causing battery swelling.

Embodiments provide a rechargeable battery that suppresses swelling of an electrode assembly by maintaining a gap between a positive electrode, a separator, and a negative electrode within a predetermined range.

Embodiments provide a rechargeable battery that suppresses swelling of the battery by suppressing gas generation when the battery is first used.

According to an embodiment, an elastic member may be disposed in a space between the electrode assembly and the case, and the electrode assembly is supported at a predetermined pressure using a reaction force of the case. Therefore, there is an advantage in that the gap between the positive electrode, the separator, and the negative electrode can be maintained within a predetermined range from the first time the battery is used. The elastic member may be disposed outside of a space between the electrode assembly and the case, and thus expansion force generated at the central portion of the electrode assembly may be distributed to the outside of the case. Therefore, even after a predetermined time, the gap between the positive electrode, the separator, and the negative electrode can be maintained within a predetermined range. Therefore, swelling of the electrode assembly and battery swelling can be prevented.

Exemplary embodiments have been disclosed herein, and although specific terms are employed, these terms are used and interpreted in a broad and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. In some cases, it would be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art at the time of filing this application that features, characteristics, and/or elements described in connection with a particular embodiment may be used alone or in combination with features, characteristics, and/or elements described in connection with other embodiments. Used in combination unless specifically stated otherwise. Accordingly, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims (16)

1. rechargeable battery comprises:

Electrode assemblie;

The housing that holds said electrode assemblie; With

Elastic component between the outer surface of said housing and said electrode assemblie, wherein said elastic component comprise the tapered wall that limits the central open area with axis, and said tapered wall has with respect to the said axis of said central open area and is in tilted layout.

2. rechargeable battery as claimed in claim 1, wherein said elastic component have the circulus around said central open area.

3. rechargeable battery as claimed in claim 2, wherein said circulus are the closed hoop structure.

4. rechargeable battery as claimed in claim 2, wherein said central open area has the prismatic shape that has fillet.

5. rechargeable battery as claimed in claim 2, wherein said central open area have and have circular end and have the outstanding elliptical shape of outward extending finger-like.

6. rechargeable battery as claimed in claim 2, wherein said central open area has round-shaped.

7. rechargeable battery as claimed in claim 1, wherein said central open area is edge limited by said tapered wall, and the said edge of said tapered wall comprises:

Have the recessed a pair of curved segmentation that faces with each other, and

The a pair of straight segments that connects the end of said curved segmentation.

8. rechargeable battery as claimed in claim 1, wherein said central open area is edge limited by said tapered wall, and the said edge of said tapered wall comprises:

The segmentation of four quadrant shapes, and

The straight segments that connects the end of said quadrant shape segmentation.

9. rechargeable battery as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rechargeable battery are included in the said outer surface of said electrode assemblie and a plurality of elastic components between the said housing.

10. rechargeable battery as claimed in claim 9; Wherein said a plurality of elastic component comprises inboard elastic component and outer elastic member; Said inboard elastic component is between said outer elastic member and said electrode assemblie; Said outer elastic member between said housing and said inboard elastic component, and said a plurality of elastic component by stacked be surperficial contact structure, thereby the said tapered wall of said a plurality of elastic components is along the equidirectional convergent.

11. rechargeable battery as claimed in claim 9; Wherein said a plurality of elastic component comprises inboard elastic component and outer elastic member; Said inboard elastic component is between said outer elastic member and said electrode assemblie; Said outer elastic member between said housing and said inboard elastic component, and said a plurality of elastic component by stacked be line contact structure, thereby the said tapered wall of said a plurality of elastic components convergent in opposite direction.

12. rechargeable battery as claimed in claim 1, wherein said elastic component quilt is flexibly towards said electrode assemblie bias voltage.

13. rechargeable battery as claimed in claim 1, wherein said elastic component has the frusto-conical shape that is formed by said tapered wall.

14. rechargeable battery as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tapered wall have an axial end portion that limits first girth and another axial end portion that limits second girth, said first girth is different from said second girth.

15. rechargeable battery as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tapered wall from said housing to the inside convergent of said electrode assemblie.

16. rechargeable battery as claimed in claim 1; Wherein said convergent wall energy moves between the position of lax position and compression, and said tapered wall compares bigger in said lax position with respect to the gradient of the said axis of said central open area in the position of said compression.

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